Wofford Declines To Give Info To Voter's Guide

U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford has not provided the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania with basic biographical and issues information for its widely distributed `Voter's Guide.'

Pat Ewing, Wofford's campaign manager, said the League's queries were not answered because Wofford is unopposed in the May 10 Democratic primary.

"When we get to the general (election)," Ewing said, "we'll revisit it."

The League does plan a fresh Voters Guide for the fall. But its spring edition was designed to provide voters an at-a-glance comparison of the leading party candidate's views. Wofford's name is followed by NR for "no response."

The Voters Guide provides basic information about the public office being sought, including its salary and term, in addition to candidate's views. It is published in many newspapers just before the primary and general elections and will be available soon in some libraries.

Trowbridge said she sent Wofford, D-Pa., the League's questionnaire by certified mail, then faxed a second copy and followed up with telephone calls as the deadline neared.

Ewing said Wofford will answer none of the many queries it gets for its stances on views until later this year, when his opponent is known. Partly, she said, that's because the campaign is focused on November.

"It has nothing to do with holding something out," Ewing said. "We weren't filling out any questionnaires this spring."

U.S. Rep. Rick Santorum, R-Pittsburgh area, and Joe Watkins, a Philadelphia businessman who worked in the Bush White House, are seeking the Republican Senate nomination, creating the only true Senate primary race.

Both candidates responded to the League queries, which centered on health care, welfare reform and crime.

Santorum and Watkins both called for a "comprehensive restructuring" of health care. But they differed sharply on what elements should comprise a basic benefits package.

Santorum and Watkins both oppose having businesses provide health care for their employees. Instead, they would require individuals to purchase insurance. Both oppose higher taxes on alcohol or tobacco to help pay for care.

They also oppose government-run health care and disagree with controls on doctor or hospital fees. They would cap malpractice awards.

Regarding welfare, Santorum and Watkins want able recipients off the rolls within two years. And they would stop the practice of increasing benefits to women when they have additional children.

They support the use of the tax money for job training and community works projects. And they would boost child care for recipients who enroll in job-training.

The candidates largely agree on ways to fight crime, splitting only on whether to spend more federal tax dollars on drug treatment. Watkins supports such expanded treatment.

Both support extra federal spending for more local police and other anti-crime programs, tougher sentences for repeat violent offenders and alternate punishment for some non-violent offenders.

They oppose more stringent gun control and would not raise taxes to fight crime.

Also running for U.S. Senate is Diane Blough, a Patriot Party candidate. Her name is not on the primary ballot.

The League, a non-partisan group that seeks to increase participation in government, offers a toll-free number (800-692-7281) for citizens seeking a copy of the guide or other information about elections.